In vivo muscle conduction study of the tongue using a multi-electrode tongue depressor

Abstract

ObjectiveTo test a novel technology for assessment of the volume conduction properties (VCPs) of the tongue. These properties are electrophysiological data that might reflect alterations in patients with tongue involvement. MethodsSeven healthy individuals were self-measured. The depressor was placed on the surface of the anterior tongue. Directional differences of VCPs were determined with standard descriptive statistics. ResultsConductivity in longitudinal direction was larger than in transverse direction at 16 (p < 0.05), 32 (p < 0.05), 64 (p < 0.01), and 128 kHz (p < 0.01). No differences were found in relative permittivity. The intraclass correlation was 0.778 and 0.771, respectively. ConclusionsOur technology provides, for the first time, VCPs of the healthy human tongue. SignificanceTongue VCPs are standard electrophysiological, quantitative and objective data reflecting ionic content and membrane integrity which could find value for diagnostic purposes and treatment monitoring.